The Murasame class destroyer is a third generation vessel in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), classified by some as a large frigate. The Murasame was a successor to the Asagiri class, and like its predecessor, its main duties included anti-submarine warfare and anti-shipping.The Murasame class was designed to replace the JMSDF’s smaller destroyers that were reaching block obsolescence, ensuring the fleet could maintain its strength while increasing its firepower. It was originally envisaged that 14 would be built, but this was reduced to 9 when the Takanami class (a modified variant of the Murasame) was planned.Murasame destroyers’ weapon systems include the Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile, anti-submarine rockets, the SSM 1B anti-ship missile, two Mark 15 20 mm Phalanx CIWS gun mounts, two torpedo mounts in a triple tube configuration and a 76 mm 62cal rapid fire gun. She is launched on 23 August 1994?and commissioned on 12 March 1996.

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